Saving Cash and the Environment at the Same Time

The environment is big news these days. From global warming and recycling to fracking, composting, and organics, everyone is trying to adapt to the ever-growing green economy. And whether you know it or not, your young family is at the heart of it all. Let’s face it, your children will inherit the effects, good or bad, that come with these initiatives as they reach adulthood. Luckily, there are numerous things you can do to ease the burdens on the environment around your home and, in turn, save money in the process. Below are a few examples of how your young family can contribute.

Recycling

True, there’s an initial investment for the bins you purchase from the sanitation company or local hardware store, but it will be worth it when you see how much recyclable material you collect on a weekly basis. Glass, newspapers, and aluminum — it can all be recycled into other products, saving precious resources from being further reduced. In turn, the amount of actual garbage you throw away will decrease, eliminating the need to purchase a box full of non-degradable plastic bags once a week.

Composting

Over 20% of the organic material you throw into the trash can be composted and transformed into nutrient-rich material for use in your yard. By placing your leaves, lawn clippings, and unused vegetables and fruits into a compost bin, you aren’t just lowering the volume of weekly trash – you’re saving money on bags of these products you would normally purchase from your local garden store.

Electric Mowing

No, this is not about remote lawn mowing – though the concept isn’t a bad idea. This involves exchanging your gas-powered mower for an electric model. The market for these cutters has exploded over the last few years, and there are numerous varieties on the market – some with storage batteries that keep a long-term charge, eliminating the use of a power cord you need to drag across the lawn. Though the initial investment could be steep, the money saved in gas, oil, spark plugs, and other maintenance will be made up during the mower’s lifetime. You can also see extra money come your way if you live in an area that gives out rebates for gas mower exchanges.

Organic Cleaning

Your cabinet is full of store-bought cleaning products. Have you ever looked at the ingredients on some of them? If you did, you’d be shocked at all the corrosive chemicals used in their creation. The good news is they no longer need to be used to keep your home clean. Decades before these products came on the market people used ingredients like lemon, olive oil, Borax, baking soda, and simple water to concoct cleaning products for their home. Today, websites like Mother Nature Network and The Daily Green provide numerous recipes for cleaning solutions. Not only does this make your home and young family healthier, but it can save thousands of dollars a year by eliminating the purchase of chemically-manufactured products.